ROKing Korea is a weekly feature column by ROKing Magazine that explores Korean culture and expat life in South Korea. With the growing number of Korean-American expats in Korea, we’ve teamed up with ROKing, a bi-monthly, bi-lingual, Korea-centric magazine, to give you a glimpse of life in South Korea.

You could travel around the world and pay thousands of dollars in the process. Or you can take this guide to global villages in Korea and save time and money by getting a taste of the world, all in the same country. There are many interesting villages set up by people from different countries that retain the charm of the original place, and we have selected a few that might be worth the trip. Start planning a trip around Korea by visiting Chinatown in Incheon, Petit France in Gapyeong and German Town in Namhae.

Chinatown of Incheon

There are Chinatowns all around the world, but the one in Incheon, the western port city, is one-of-a-kind. With interesting buildings and tasty food, this is a favorite stop for foreign visitors. Incheon’s Chinatown has an 11- meter-tall gate located at the entrance to the town and many buildings are decorated in typical Chinese colors. The main draw is probably the food, which combines both the best of China and Korean Chinese, like jajangmyeon. The area also holds festivals throughout the year.

ROKing’s Tip Guide:
Website: http://www.ichinatown.or.kr
Phone: 032-810-2853
Location: Incheon Chinatown, Bukseong-dong and Seonlin-dong, Jung-gu, Incheon
How to get there: Seoul Incheon line no.1 (Get off at Incheon station)
Recommended 1-hour tour plan: Chinatown paeru > gonghwachun> Chinese food street > Euiseondang (Chinese-style Temple) > Jayu Park > Modern Cultural Heritage Buildings > Shinpo Market

Petit France of Gapyeong

Famous for beautiful mountains and clean water, this is a cultural village that looks just like beautiful French villages in old storybooks. Petit France took old French houses apart and brought them to Korea, making this village a sightseeing friend’s best friend. But it’s mainly the atmosphere—pretty alleyways, chatty people at restaurants, a beautiful fountain and a wide-open square—that makes this place special.

ROKing’s Tip Guide:
Website: http://www.pfcamp.com/
Phone: 031-584-8200
Location: 616 Goseong-ri, Cheongpyeong-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi Province
How to get there: (By Bus) At DongSeoul (East Seoul) Terminal and Sangbong Terminal, get on the bus bound to Cheongpyeong Terminal. After getting off at the terminal, ride on downtown bus bound to Goseong-ri. (By Car) Use the Seoul-Chuncheon Highway. From Seoul Olympic Way, head to Misari > Seoul-chuncheon highway > Hwado I.C. > Towards Chuncheon, Cheongpyeong > After you pass Daeseong-ri > head to Gosoeng-ri, Homyeong-ri direction at the entrance of Cheongpyeong Dam. The Petit France is located 10 km from there. (Total duration from Seoul: 50 min)

German Town of Namhae 

The beautiful southern coast of Korea and exotic red-tiled rooftops make up Namhae German Town. Built in 2001, this little village offers up German culture and amazing scenery. There are plenty of things to see and eat, and traditional Korean houses where German-Koreans live dot the village. You might be able to eat some German food, too.

ROKing’s Tip Guide:
Website: http://www.germanvillage.co.kr
Phone: +82-55-867-1337
Location: Dok-il Ma-eul, Mulgeon-ri, Samdong-myeon, Namhae-gun, South Gyeongsang Province
How to get there: Take bus Nambu Terminal at Seochodong, Seoul > Get off at Namhae Terminal (+82-55-864-7101) (it will take 4 1/2 hours)* > Get on the bus bound to Jijok, Samdong-myeon > Get off at German Town Entrance of Mulgeon-ri, Samdong-myeon (You can see the German Town when you go towards the hills. Takes about 5 minutes).

Written by Jin-Sung Kwak. Cross-published from ROKing Magazine with permission. Photos: Courtesy of Chinatown (www.ichinatown.or.kr) and Park Ji-yeon (http://blog.naver.com/thealicecity) ———————————————————————————————————————————————– ROKing Magazine
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